Maternal feeding practices during the first year and their impact on infants’ acceptance of complementary food

The introduction of weaning foods is a major transition in the development of infants’ eating behavior. Previous studies showed that greater variety at the beginning of the weaning period can later influence an infant’s acceptance of new foods. The aim of the present study was to describe maternal feeding practices in the first year (breastfeeding duration, age at the initiation of weaning, variety of new foods introduced) and to study whether they impacted infants’ later acceptance of new foods in a longitudinal survey of French children’s eating behavior.Mothers (n = 203) were asked to record each food offered to their infants from the beginning of the weaning period to the age of 15 months and to score the acceptance of each food for the first 4 presentations. The foods were clustered into categories (i.e. fruits, vegetables…). The link between individual characteristics (maternal age, education level, parity, caregiver during weaning and infant gender) and exclusive breastfeeding duration, age at the initiation of weaning, age at the introduction of each food category, number of new foods introduced from all categories and the infant’s acceptance of each food was studied. Finally, the link between feeding practices and infants’ acceptance of new foods was analyzed.Seventy-two percent of the infants were exclusively breastfed from birth for a median duration of 68 days. On average, the age at the initiation of weaning, 5 months, was in accordance with the current French recommendations. The number of new foods introduced was 13.4 per month on average and differed from one infant to another with no association with individual characteristics. The reactions to new foods were positive in 90% of the cases but differed according to food categories. In the early weaning period, fruits and vegetables were the least positively accepted foods; however, the average acceptance rate of these foods reflects infants’ positive reactions. The earlier vegetables were introduced, the higher the acceptance of new vegetables was. Finally, new food acceptance was significantly correlated with the number of different foods offered in the first two months of weaning, particularly for fruits and vegetables. These results highlight the ease of introducing new foods into a child’s diet in the period between 4 and 15 months and the role of maternal complementary feeding practices on infants’ acceptance of new foods.     

Short communication: Jersey × Holstein crossbreds compared with pure Holsteins for production, mastitis, and body measurements during the first 3 lactations

Jersey (JE) × Holstein (HO) crossbred cows (n = 76) were compared with pure HO cows (n = 73) for 305-d milk, fat, and protein production, somatic cell score (SCS), clinical mastitis, lifetime production, and body measurements during their first 3 lactations. Cows were in 2 research herds at the University of Minnesota and calved from September 2003 to June 2008. Best prediction was used to determine actual production for 305-d lactations as well as lifetime production (to 1,220 d in the herd after first calving) from test-day observations. During first lactation, JE × HO cows and pure HO cows were not significantly different for fat plus protein production; however, JE × HO cows had significantly lower fat plus protein production during second (−25 kg) and third (−51 kg) lactation than pure HO cows. Nevertheless, JE × HO cows were not significantly different from pure HO cows for lifetime production or lifetime SCS. The JE × HO cows were not significantly different from pure HO cows for SCS and clinical mastitis during first and second lactations; however, JE × HO cows tended to have higher SCS (3.79) than pure HO cows (3.40), but significantly lower (−23.4%) clinical mastitis during third lactation. The JE × HO cows had significantly less hip height, smaller heart girth, less thurl width, and less pin width than pure HO cows during the first 3 lactations. Furthermore, JE × HO cows had significantly less udder clearance from the ground and significantly greater distance between the front teats than pure HO cows during their first 3 lactations.     

ADSA Foundation Scholar Award. Biology of dairy cows during the transition period: the final frontier?

The transition period, from 3 wk before to 3 wk after parturition, is critically important to health, production, and profitability of dairy cows. Most health disorders occur during this time. Compared with other stages of the lactation cycle, relatively little is known about fundamental biological processes during the transition period. The regulation and coordination of lipid metabolism among adipose tissue, liver, gut, and mammary gland are key components of the adaptations to lactation. Lipid accumulation in liver may contribute to health disorders and decreased milk production. Knowledge of key control points in hepatic metabolism of long-chain fatty acids is lacking, as is an understanding of the metabolic effects of hormones, growth factors, and cytokines that mediate stress. Recent evidence indicates that supplemental fats or restricted intakes before parturition can induce a coordinated set of metabolic changes in metabolism of long-chain fatty acids, including peroxisomal beta-oxidation, perhaps mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. Estimates of the mixture of fuels constituting metabolizable energy in cows during the early postpartum period suggest that supply of amino acids and glucogenic compounds may be under proposed optima, whereas ketogenic and lipogenic compounds and long-chain fatty acids may be in excess. Because dietary fat does not suppress body lipid mobilization, during the early postpartum period supplemental fat may further imbalance the mixture of fuels and lead to decreased dry matter intake. Increased understanding of the biology of the transition period should decrease health problems and increase profitability of dairy cows.     

Changes in the color components and phenolic content of red wines from Vitis vinifera L. Cv. “Tempranillo” during vinification and aging

Changes in phenolics and color components during vinification and aging of Tempranillo wines were studied. Different phenolics display different diffusion into the must, and with the exception of proanthocyanidins and acetyl-glucoside anthocyanins, with maximum concentration at the end of postmaceration, the rest of the unacylated and coumarated anthocyanins, monomeric flavanols, and hydroxycinnamic acids reached their maximum at the end of alcoholic fermentation. This resulted in a significant increase in both wine color and stable color, mainly due to the formation of copigmentation complexes, although polymeric pigment formation was also important. Malolactic fermentation produced a significant decrease in flavonoid content while nonflavonoid concentrations were maintained, prompting a considerable loss in wine color, despite the dramatic increase in bisulfite-stable color. Wine oak aging did not produce any significant change in the studied parameters, while bottle aging reduced the level of monomeric anthocyanins and flavanols, and hydroxycinnamic acids. However, wine color remained stable due to a significant increase in stable color. Polymerization reactions of anthocyanins prevailed over pigment degradation reactions, and copigmentation was still relevant after 2 years of bottle aging.     

Total antioxidant activity and trace elements in human milk: the first 4 months of breast-feeding

The content of many nutrients in breast milk are dependent on the nutritional status of the lactating woman. This is particularly true for fat and water-soluble vitamins, some of which have antioxidant properties. The aim of the study entertained herein was to evaluate the changes in total antioxidant status of human milk during the first 4 months of lactation, and to correlate such changes with the contents in specific antioxidant oligoelements (Cu, Zn, Mn and Se). Milk samples were collected from (31) lactating women recruited at the Service of Obstetrics of the Hospital de São João in Porto, after 1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after birth. The total antioxidant status (TAS) of human milk was measured by the Randox^® commercial kit and trace metals by ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry). The results found for TAS and oligoelements under study show a decrease in the concentration of these parameters from 7 days to 4 months of breast-feeding and significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between TAS and Cu, Zn and Se (not Mn). The decreases of Cu, Zn and Se were also correlated, but not proportional between them, suggesting diverse excretion mechanisms for all. Between primipara and multipara women, a significant difference was found only for Cu and Zn concentrations at 7 days of lactation, but not for the other metals or TAS. With respect to the mother’s age, no correlation was found, either for trace metal concentrations or TAS.     

Short communication: Jersey × Holstein crossbreds compared with pure Holsteins for body weight, body condition score, fertility, and survival during the first three lactations

Crossbred cows (n=80) resulting from the use of Jersey (JE) semen on their pure Holstein (HO) dams were compared with pure HO cows (n=77) for body weight, body condition score, fertility, and survival during their first 3 lactations. Cows were in 2 research herds of the University of Minnesota and calved from September 2003 to June 2008. The JE × HO crossbred cows had significantly less body weight during the first (-56 kg), second (-67 kg), and third (-82 kg) lactations than pure HO cows. However, JE × HO cows had significantly greater body condition score during the first (2.94 vs. 2.84), second (2.97 vs. 2.84), and third (2.99 vs. 2.87) lactations than pure HO cows. For fertility, JE × HO cows had fewer days to first breeding during the first (-10.6d), second (-8.4d), and third (-12.3d) lactations than pure HO cows. Crossbred cows were not significantly different from pure HO cows for number of services during first lactation; however, JE × HO cows had significantly fewer services (2.2) than pure HO cows (2.7) during the second lactation. Also, JE × HO cows had significantly fewer days open than pure HO cows in the first (-24 d), second (-42 d), and third (-42 d) lactations. For survival, JE × HO cows were not significantly different from pure HO cows for percentage of cows calving a second time; however, a tendency existed for a higher percentage of JE × HO cows (63.8%) than pure HO cows (49.4%) to calve a third time, and a higher percentage of JE × HO cows calved a third time within 28, 34, and 40 mo of first calving than pure HO cows.     

Variation in the content of the main guaianolides and sugars in Cichorium intybus var. “Rosso di Chioggia” selections during cultivation

Cichorium intybus var. “Rosso di Chioggia” is a chicory variety cultivated predominantly in Northeastern Italy and highly appreciated for its bitter taste. The commercial portion of the plant, used as food, comprises the innermost leaves (head) of plants harvested during the first year of growth; the outermost leaves and the roots are considered wastes. Three selections belonging to this variety have been analyzed for guaianolide and sugar contents and compared with the commercial product (head), roots and outermost leaves. The qualitative and quantitative evaluations of both classes of compounds were achieved by densitometric HPTLC. The analytical data showed a high variability during the stages of growth, both among the parts of the plant and among the three selections of chicory considered. With particular reference to the heads, a sensory bitterness evaluation method was set up in order to find a correlation between the analytical data and the bitter taste.     

Elucidating the relative roles of ammonia oxidizing and heterotrophic bacteria during the biotransformation of 17α-Ethinylestradiol and Trimethoprim

The biological fate of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2; 500 ng/L to 1 mg/L) and trimethoprim (TMP; 1 μg/L to 1 mg/L) was evaluated with flow through reactors containing an ammonia oxidizing bacterial (AOB) culture, two enriched heterotrophic cultures devoid of nitrifier activity, and nitrifying activated sludge (NAS) cultures. AOBs biotransformed EE2 but not TMP, whereas heterotrophs mineralized EE2, biotransformed TMP, and mineralized EE2-derived metabolites generated by AOBs. Kinetic bioassays showed that AOBs biotransformed EE2 five times faster than heterotrophs. The basal expression of heterotrophic dioxygenase enzymes was sufficient to achieve the high degree of transformation observed at EE2 and TMP concentrations ≤ 1 mg/L, and enhanced enzyme expression was not necessary. The importance of AOBs in removing EE2 and TMP was evaluated further by performing NAS experiments at lower feed concentrations (500-1000 ng/L). EE2 removal slowed markedly after AOBs were inhibited, while TMP removal was not affected by AOB inhibition. Two key EE2 metabolites formed by AOB and heterotrophic laboratory-scale chemostats were also found in independent laboratory-scale mixed culture bioreactors; one of these, sulfo-EE2, was largely resistant to further biodegradation. AOBs and heterotrophs may cooperatively enhance the reliability of treatment systems where efficient removal of EE2 is desired.     

Modification of physico-chemical and colour parameters during the marketing of 'paté'

The evolution of different physico-chemical parameters (iodine number, TBA test, residual nitrite level, pH and moisture) and CIE L^*a^*b^* colour evolution, in pork liver ‘pate’, with and without sodium ascorbate addition, were studied.

The samples were stored in an illuminated display cabinet at different lux intensities and in the dark. The regression equations were obtained for each one of the parameters under study, from the first day of exposure to light.

The sodium ascorbate showed a protective effect on the photo-oxidation mechanism (measured by TBA test), but it did not have an influence on the samples in darkness.

In both types of paté exposed to light, fading takes place and the most important variations in colour parameters are produced during the first 24 h of exposure to light.     

Textile Manufacture in China during the Period of the Warring States (475–221 B.C.)

This paper makes a brief review of textile manufacture during the Warring States Period. Archaeological reports and other specialist studies, previously published in Chinese, are used as the primary sources of factual information. Reference is made to recently acquired evidence that suggests the existence of a textile industry producing a wide range of woven, embroidered, knitted, and stencil-printed products.     

Study of Enterobacteriaceae during the manufacture and ripening of San Simón cheese

The aim of this work was to study the evolution of the population of Enterobacteriaceae in one of the traditional Spanish cheeses, San Simón cheese, during the manufacture and ripening processes and its interrelation with the changes in some physico–chemical parameters.The evolution of the Enterobacteriaceae counts (VRBGA medium) and coliform counts (VRBA medium) was studied from samples of milk, curd and inner and surface zones of the cheese at different stages of ripening from five batches of traditionally manufactured artisan cheese. The counts obtained were very similar in both media and in general one log unit higher in the inner portion of the cheeses than on the surface.TheEnterobacteriaceae counts in milk were 10²–10³cfu g⁻¹and the counts increased during the first week of ripening reaching 10⁶–10⁷cfu g⁻¹in the inner portion of the cheese. From this time onwards, the counts slowly decreased to the end of ripening without disappearing completely.The most abundant species in the milk were Klebsiella oxytoca (36% of the isolated strains), Enterobacter cloacae (24%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (20%). Escherichia coli, constituted the dominant species from the inner portion of the cheeses at the end of ripening (56% of the isolated strains), followed by Hafnia alvei (44%). However, in the samples of the surface portion of the cheese the dominant species at the end of ripening were K. oxytoca (40%), H. alvei (35%) and E. cloacae (20%).     

Obesity and sleep disturbance: the chicken or the egg?

Epidemiological studies suggested an association between obesity and sleep disturbances. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most prevalent type of obesity-related sleep disorder that lead to an increased risk for numerous chronic health conditions. In addition the increased visceral adipose tissue might be responsible for the secretion of inflammatory cytokines that could contribute to alter the sleep-wake rhythm. Unhealthy food characterized by high consumption of fat and carbohydrate seems to negatively influence the quality of sleep while diet rich of fiber is associated to more restorative and deeper sleep. Although obesity could cause through several pathogenetic mechanisms an alteration of sleep, it has been reported that subjects suffering from sleep disorders are more prone to develop obesity. Experimental laboratory studies have demonstrated that decreasing either the amount or quality of sleep increase the risk of developing obesity. Experimental sleep restriction also causes physiological, hormonal and food behavioral changes that promote a positive energy balance and a compensatory disproportionate increase in food intake, decrease in physical activity, and weight gain. Thus, the aim of this review is to provide observational evidence on the association of obesity with sleep disturbances and viceversa with emphasis on possible pathophysiological mechanisms (hormonal and metabolic) that link these two pathological conditions.     

Peer reviewed: the u.s. Dioxin inventory: are there missing sources?

Some attempts to balance atmospheric emissions of dioxins with deposition have suggested "missing sources." But the evidence disappears in the uncertainties in deposition data.     

Crops that feed the world 4. Barley: a resilient crop? Strengths and weaknesses in the context of food security

Barley is cultivated both in highly productive agricultural systems and also in marginal and subsistence environments. Its distribution is worldwide and is of considerable economic importance for animal feed and alcohol production. The overall importance of barley as a human food is minor but there is much potential for new uses exploiting the health benefits of whole grain and beta-glucans. The barley supply chains are complex and show added value at many stages. Germplasm resources for barley are considerable, with much potential for exploitation of its biodiversity available through the use of recently developed genomic and breeding tools. Consequently, substantial gains in crucial sustainability characteristics should be achievable in the future, together with increased understanding of the physiological basis of many agronomic traits, particularly water and nutrient use efficiency. Barley’s ability to adapt to multiple biotic and abiotic stresses will be crucial to its future exploitation and increased emphasis on these traits in elite germplasm is needed to equip the crop for environmental change. Similarly, resource use efficiency should become a higher priority to ensure the crop’s sustainability in the long-term. Clearly barley is a resilient crop with much potential which can be realised in the future.     

Diving rate of shoes imports and exports in the first five months reined in Text by Li Ming

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